Paper terror

**Vir** · December 12th, 2010, 07:00 PM

I'm probably very sensitive when it comes to finding my type of paper, it's feels like terror.

First I tried a bunch of drawing papers, Mi-Teintes, Strathmore (all the series), Canson Classic, and can't stand them. Maybe I just hate heavy weight paper?

And there's a kind that goes by the name sketching paper.. I first found my favorite: Daler-Rowney Cartridge paper 130 gsm, smooth (worked on this for some months), but then I bought a hardbound sketchbook by Dick Blick, and for now it's my best paper.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/bl...nd-sketchbook/

I don't have a clue why I like this particular paper so much, but at least it's not to heavy and textured...?

What's wrong with me, can anyone understand what I'm going through?

**Raffix** · December 12th, 2010, 07:21 PM

is this some badly disguised advertising for dickblick.com or am i just being a bit cynical

**Falchion** · December 12th, 2010, 10:14 PM

Well, you see their sketchbook paper is embedded with a particularly potent dose of cocaine...

**Eldritch** · December 12th, 2010, 10:42 PM

paper swag

**Gislebertus** · December 12th, 2010, 11:43 PM

I can understand that. Paper is a very personal thing; it sounds like you don't like paper with tooth/texture. It all depends on what kind of art you do. But always save any paper you experiment with and don't like at first; one day you might find a use for it.

**Anid Maro** · December 13th, 2010, 12:01 AM

Agreed with Gislebertus.

Sounds like you'd enjoy Vellum style Bristol papers or Hot Press watercolor papers. Although if you're happy with DickBlick then that's cool, they tend to be much cheaper so you're saving dollars.

Personally for drawing I like thinner smooth papers while for painting I range from a CP Arches to whatever HP thing they do with Moleskine. Rough papers would drive me nuts, and for pencil or ink drawings even CP bugs me.

**Vir** · December 13th, 2010, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by Raffix

is this some badly disguised advertising for dickblick.com or am i just being a bit cynical

That's a good one. No, I wonder how my thread could be read like that. Strange.
I've bought 90 % of my stuff at Dick, that's all.

**Vir** · December 13th, 2010, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gislebertus

I can understand that. Paper is a very personal thing; it sounds like you don't like paper with tooth/texture. It all depends on what kind of art you do. But always save any paper you experiment with and don't like at first; one day you might find a use for it.

Maybe too personal sometimes. Symptoms of autism light, faint heart?.

So many problems in the world..

What exactly is meant by tooth? I like paper that let's you play around a bit, not leaving too hard lines/marks, or something like that...

Of all the paper I've tried i'm left with only two. I would though like a pad of paper that resembles Dick Blick's paper used in that hardbound sketchbook (way too perfecionist to use whole books).

Canson Foundation, Reeves sketching pad? anyone tried these? any others I might try?

**Vari** · December 13th, 2010, 05:04 AM

I love my Daler-Rowney Simply sketchbooks... they are 3 times cheaper than every hardcover sketchbook and the paper is nicely textured... it's clearly artist's paper and not some plastic smooth fake printer paper... As for my main studies paper i still can't decide. I like the very white one, but i also like the off-white (not toned, just yellowish...), no specific brands at the moment, I'm trying several. I've got one A3 pad of the two types, when I'm done with them I'll make my decision. I love talking about paper... this thread touched my special spot

Good luck with your search, you are definitely not the only one.

Oh and in before the people who will come and tell you how they use newsprint/toilet paper for studies and just draw instead of thinking about the materials... yes, yes, we heard this story before...

**Vir** · December 13th, 2010, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Vari

I love my Daler-Rowney Simply sketchbooks... they are 3 times cheaper than every hardcover sketchbook and the paper is nicely textured... it's clearly artist's paper and not some plastic smooth fake printer paper... As for my main studies paper i still can't decide. I like the very white one, but i also like the off-white (not toned, just yellowish...), no specific brands at the moment, I'm trying several. I've got one A3 pad of the two types, when I'm done with them I'll make my decision. I love talking about paper... this thread touched my special spot

Good luck with your search, you are definitely not the only one.

Oh and in before the people who will come and tell you how they use newsprint/toilet paper for studies and just draw instead of thinking about the materials... yes, yes, we heard this story before...

Thank you, Vari.

Blick sketchbook: 108 pages of acid-free, cream-colored 65-lb (98 gsm) paper with excellent tooth for all dry media

Daler sketchbook: The 8½" × 11" hardbound sketchbook contains 80 sheets of superior-quality, acid-free, 65 lb (100 gsm) extra white paper that has a smooth texture, ideal for all dry media.

Excellent tooth / smooth texture, close race?

Any chance you could upload a high-res sketch from your Simply Sketchbook? So I can get a feeling of that paper.

**Vari** · December 13th, 2010, 05:49 AM

I can't do that right now, don't have a scanner here, but I took a look at the web. I found a scan of this sketchbook, it's the A6 version, I have A5 and A4. But it's the same thing. It looks like that, maybe a bit whiter... The A5 size and any bigger can be flat opened like moleskines. Even the A6 could, but not to such extend.